Alternative Transportation in Houston

Alternative Transportation Options in Houston

Houston is not necessarily known for its public transportation options, but much has been done over the past decade to welcome the use of alternative forms of transportation to the Bayou City! Interested in finding a new way to get around Houston? Look no further – here is a list of all the alternative modes of transportation available in the city, from ride-share apps to corridors of hike-and-bike trails!

Commuting

METROBus & METRORail – Houston has over 1,200 busses and 23 miles of light rail available for getting around the city. For more detailed information about these services, click here.

Ride Sharing – In a city as large as Houston, all of the major RideShare apps are available to those looking to reduce their footprint. Uber, Lyft, Hitch, and RideShare are all great options, along with traditional taxis. Commuters can also find a carpool on apps like Waze and METRO STAR Vanpool.

Biking Around Houston

Hike-And-Bike Trails – The City of Houston and its partners, like Houston Parks Board, have put a great deal of effort and money into creating an extensive network of hike-and-bike trails, connecting the city’s many parks. As of 2020, Houston Parks Board has completed over 150 miles of trails with an adjoining 3,000 acres of greenspace, all made possible thanks to a $220 million public-private partnership project called Bayou Greenways. Find the updated map of all trails by clicking here.

Buffalo Bayou Partnership is also building a continuous system of trails along Buffalo Bayou that will provide 20 miles of hike-and-bike trails. The Houston Parks and Recreation Department also maintains over 163 miles of trails that loop within parks or run along streets and bayous.

The City of Houston’s Bikeways Programs has made considerable efforts in making Houston a more bike-friendly city. In 2013, the League of American Bicyclists awarded Houston the Bicycle Friendly Communities Bronze Award. The Houston Bike Plan, a 12-month planning effort to help make Houston a safer, healthier, more bike-friendly city, was formally adopted by City Council in March of 2017.

For an interactive map of all Houston-area bike trails and bike lanes, click here.

Rent a Bike – Don’t have a bike? No problem! Biking in the city is more accessible with Houston BCycle, a Bike Share nonprofit that aims to provide bike access for everyone. The city’s BCycle program is growing and currently has over 90 stations with 635 bikes available for short-term rentals throughout central Houston.

Get Out of Town

Hoping to take a trip down to Galveston for some excellent birding? Check out the Island Express. This service runs each weekday with departures in the morning, midday and afternoon each way.  Click here for more details.

What's Your Favorite Way to Get Around Houston?

Houston-area partners have invested so many resources recently in the development of significant mileage of urban trails, and the Bird City team is excited for the increased awareness of these options!

Did we miss a form of alternative transportation in Houston that you love? Let us know by emailing Anna Vallery at avallery@houstonaudubon.org.

Did You Know?

Northern Mockingbirds have been known to so skillfully imitate sounds such as squeaky gate hinges, sirens, and barking dogs that even an acoustical analysis could not tell the difference between the mockingbird and the original sound.

Listen to Audio Sample

Test Your Knowledge!

How many birds die annually in window collisions alone?